The children were helped after being blown off shore in their inflatible dinghy at the West Strand in Portstewart.

According to a spokeswoman for the coastguard from nearby Portrush, there had been dangerous off shore winds all day.

Coastguard spokeswoman: "very dangerous situation"

"These winds will blow rubber dinghies and rubber wings quickly out to sea, much quicker than people realise," said Judith McNeice, a watch officer with the coastguard.

"Before they know it, they're miles out to sea and they could find themselves in serious danger."

In a separate incident the teenagers were picked up by a yacht after being carried out to sea on their rubber rings at the beach at Portrush.